With Video: Penske has announced its intention to bring the new Western Star 47X to Australia.
Western Star has introduced its all-new 47X model which joins the 49X to establish the Western Star X-Series with the company aiming the models at what it calls its purpose-built vocational line-up with a focus on pushing into entirely new applications.
While the 47X is produced by Daimler Trucks in the US, Penske in Australia will be handling the new model here with an expectation it will hit our shores in late 2022.
After launching the 49X a year ago, the 47X is the second truck in Western Star’s entirely new XSeries platform. As the official distributor of Western Star Trucks across Australia and New Zealand, Penske is working closely with DTNA in the adaptation of the new X-Series to local on- and off-highway markets.
Building on a long legacy of manufacturing durable, hard-working trucks, the new platform combines the tough American heritage that Australian and New Zealand customers have come to expect with the latest in engineering advancements.
“It’s very exciting to see the 47X unveiled today in the United States following on from the launch of the 49X last year,” says Craig Lee, general manager – on-highway, Penske Australia.
“We are thrilled to be launching the new Western Star range in late 2022 in Australia, and shortly after that in New Zealand.
“Our local teams here in Australia and New Zealand have worked closely with the Western Star team in the US on the development of the new trucks to tailor them for our local markets in both Australia and New Zealand and will continue to do so.
“Boasting lighter yet tougher cabin frames and steel-reinforced cabins, and with features including wrap-around dashboards, our customers will surely be impressed when they see the trucks in person and step foot into the cabin.
“We will continue to work with our dealer network to ensure the highest level of support is delivered to our existing and our new customers,” says Lee.
“With the addition of the 47X to the X-Series line-up, Western Star is offering fresh, modern trucks with purposeful technologies to enable all vocational customer’s success. The wide breadth of segment coverage means that there’s a Star for every need,” says David Carson, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA).
A lighter heavyweight
“A key priority was to consider how to reduce mass without compromising strength,” says Tracy Mack-Askew, chief engineer of chassis, propulsion and vocational engineering, DTNA.
“From the cab to the frame rails, to powertrain and battery configurations, we examined all features to deliver weight savings to our customers for greater productivity and profitability.”
The 47X is approximately 90kg lighter than the 49X in like-for-like spec and is best for weight-sensitive applications like mixers and bulk haul.
All X-Series trucks have tougher, yet lighter, single-channel frame rail options versus legacy products.
A new 9.5-millimeter single channel rail option is available and features comparable strength as today’s 11-millimeter rail. Standard high-strength aluminum forward, rear and end-of-frame crossmembers further reduce mass, as does a new two-battery option.
With the shorter bonnet and a wheel cut up to 50 degrees, the 47X further optimises maneuverability for work on construction sites or operation in congested urban environments, with an 8×4 on the cards for Aus/NZ also.
A cab fit for a king
The X-Series steel-reinforced aluminum cab further reduces mass by up to eight per cent while offering greater driver comfort with 13 per cent more space than competitors.
An optional two-person bench seat is available for applications demanding a large on-site crew, and a new space-optimised, in-cab battery box affords additional legroom to the operator. An optional roof-mounted condenser offers maximum airflow through the radiator for stationary applications like construction and mining while keeping operators comfortable.
All X-Series models come standard with operator-centric features such as a wrap-around dash that provides easy access to the driver command center and B-panel. On the B-panel, a flex panel can be prepped for a tablet or configured for an additional 12 switches or 10 gauges. The truck’s interior also includes upscale appointments such as metal accents, while all-metal exterior brightwork is distinctive as well as durable.
The 47X’s unique bonnet with its composite construction and ISO Tech suspension system resists bending and cracking by absorbing and dissipating vibrations from road inputs, which the company says helps negate driver fatigue.
A real power play
The 47X comes standard with the Detroit DD13 Gen 5 engine, which features higher compression ratios and a new swirl piston design to further improve combustion and efficiency.
ThermoCoasting in the DD13 Gen 5 prevents aftertreatment cool-down during a driving regen to keep the system at its optimum temperature and significantly reduce the need for parked regens.
For weight-sensitive applications, the Cummins L9 and X12 engines are available for the 47X.
The 47X is also offered with the all-new DT12-V transmission, which is built on the proven DT12 and has more than 35 million miles of vocational-specific testing. The DT12 includes three work-ready mode applications: Rock-free mode, Off-road mode, and Paver mode for the challenges of specific vocational applications.
Standard for any 47X equipped with the DD13 Gen 5, the Detroit Assurance suite of active safety systems brings industry-leading active safety solutions, including active brake assist, side guard assist, adaptive cruise control and more to keep operators, workers at the job site, pedestrians, and other motorists safe.
Ready to get on the job faster
Western Star partnered with leading truck equipment manufacturers (TEMs) to ensure the X-Series supports fast and efficient upfits. The 47X’s mid-chassis packaging has a number of clear back-of-cab configurations while unobstructed frame rails provide more efficient body integration. The QuickFit Interface System offers ready access to electrical architecture and was designed for easy TEM interface, programming and access to power.
The CHEC Tool from DTNA enables TEMs and dealers to view and modify electrical configurations, giving them the power to customize inputs and outputs and change parameters within minutes.
“With the 47X and the 49X we can offer our customers different options covering many different applications. Whether their work be heavy-haul, logging and timber operations, or construction, we have the right Star for our customers,” says Carson.
The 49X remains an unmatched workhorse ideally suited to heavy haul and logging operations. Both models – depending on spec – are also ready to tackle oil field, towing & recovery, bulk haul, crane, and dump applications.
While we’ll have to wait until late 2022/early 2023 before we see this big new Star in the metal, we will be sharing an indepth look at the new X-series with you very soon, only here at OwnerDriver.